Penetration of VP 16-213 into cerebrospinal fluid after high-dose intravenous administration.

VP 16-213 in standard doses is active against a number of solid tumors. Its penetration into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is very limited at these dose levels. In 10 patients treated with high-dose VP 16-213 (0.9-2.5 g/m2), CSF levels of up to 0.54 microgram/mL were detected. In two patients with central nervous system (CNS) metastases of small cell lung cancer (SCLC) a response was seen after 1.0 and 1.5 g/m2 intravenously. High-dose VP 16-213 can possibly play a role in the treatment of CNS metastases of SCLC. Its application in late intensification regimens as a form of prophylaxis of CNS metastases should be investigated.